A shoplifting investigation that began on Vancouver Island led to the seizure of illicit and prescription drugs, thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise, and $30,000 in cash from a New Westminster residence.
The case began on Vancouver Island where West Shore RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit and Drugs and Organized Crime Unit arrested two suspects on Sept. 12. Police said the pair were involved in a shoplifting spree and had allegedly stolen about $10,000 worth of merchandise in one afternoon from businesses across the Capital Regional District on southern Vancouver Island.
In a news release, West Shore RCMP said its officers conducted “covert surveillance” on two male suspects, observing the pair attending multiple locations of Home Depot, London Drugs and Best Buy throughout the Capital Regional District and allegedly stealing from each store.
The RCMP said officers followed the pair throughout the region and arrested them for shoplifting outside a business in Duncan.
Following the arrests, police searched the suspect’s vehicle and recovered what officers believed to be more than $10,000 worth of merchandise that had allegedly been stolen earlier in the day. Police seized the vehicle.
The suspects were released on undertakings, with an upcoming court date on Dec. 12, said the RCMP news release.
According to the West Shore RCMP, the suspects, who are not residents of Vancouver Island, are identified as 45 and 30 year old males.
Earlier this month, West Shore RCMP arrested 2 suspects who allegedly stole approximately $10,000 worth of merchandise in one afternoon across the Capital Regional District.
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) September 26, 2024
Additionally, a search warrant obtained by West Shore RCMP was executed at the home of one of the… pic.twitter.com/e2W2JK7Qpe
The investigation moved to the Lower Mainland, when West Shore RCMP executed a search warrant at the home of one of the suspects in New Westminster on Sept. 13.
With the assistance of the New Westminster Police Department, West Shore RCMP seized the following:
- approximately $30,000 worth of stolen merchandise, including tools and electronics
- approximately $20,000 worth of stolen high-end luxury clothing with the tags still attached
- approximately 180 grams of suspected cocaine
- approximately 5,600 suspected counterfeit Fentanyl pills
- approximately 900 suspected hydromorphone pills
- approximately 1,000 suspected benzodiazepines pills
- $30,000 cash
“Our officers worked diligently on this investigation, conducting surveillance on the suspects, arresting them and recovering stolen merchandise and cash, as well as thousands of doses of illicit and prescription drugs,” Superintendent Todd Preston, officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, said in a news release. “I have had conversations with the B.C. Prosecutors Office and expressed the impact that chronic shoplifting is having on the West Shore. Our officers are still continuing this investigation, and police are expecting charges to be forthcoming.”
NWPD Staff Sgt. Andrew Leaver said local police assisted the West Shore RCMP with the execution of their search warrant at a local residence. He said the investigation remains with the West Shore RCMP.
“This seizure represents an excellent collaborative effort on the part of our Street Crime and the West Shore RCMP,” Leaver said. “Crime often reaches beyond our borders, and these results demonstrate our commitment to disrupting these multi-jurisdictional organizations.”
